Mud Puppy

Brown Ale

It is 1969. The brand-new nuclear sub USS Guitarro is docked at Mare Island, deck hatches open. One work crew test fills the aft ballast, while a totally separate crew fills the fore ballasts to trim the ship. The workers return from lunch just in time to see the ship sink in the Napa River, costing millions and earning the Guitarro the nickname “Mud Puppy.” Though one of the most embarrass- ing mistakes in the Island’s history (the shipyard even took up a collection to attempt to reimburse the government), the Mud Puppy was eventually raised, overhauled and went on to serve the fleet with distinction for 20 years.